AfD gains 44% in eastern German state elections, becoming the largest party

[Magdeburg (Germany) Current Affairs] State parliamentary elections were held in the former East German state of Saxony-Anhalt in eastern Germany on the 6th, and according to German public broadcasting, the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) is expected to secure the number one spot with an expected vote share of 44%. It was an overwhelming victory, doubling the number of votes from the previous election in 2021, but the situation is uncertain for an independent majority. Whether they can form a government in the state is likely to depend on the movements of other political parties.

Far-right AfD is "the only hope": First vision of government, deep-rooted distrust of politics - Report on the September German state parliamentary elections, national politics left and right, and the former East German state

The conservative ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Chancellor Merz, suffered a crushing defeat with just under 18% of the vote, half the vote from the previous election. Merz may lose further unifying power within the party, and there is a possibility that movements calling for a replacement as prime minister will become more active.

The Left Party, which descends from the East German dictatorship party, the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), and the environmentalist Green Party were tied at around 9%. The new populist party, BSW, is on the verge of winning a minimum vote share of 5% to win proportional seats.

AfD candidate for state premier, Siegmund, declared victory, saying, ``We have made history.'' If he can get the cooperation of the BSW, which is the only party that has not ruled out collaboration with the party, he will be closer to forming a government, but he stressed that he will not make any compromises. It will be difficult to form a majority without the AfD, and the political situation surrounding the new government is expected to remain fluid.